A travel guide for the best tourist areas to visit and activities to do in Morocco
Morocco is a marvel of riches and breath-taking landscapes, from the Mediterranean Sea on the north to the Sahara Desert in the far south, each corner has a special atmosphere and seems to be straight out of a tale from A Thousand and One Nights.
If you made the smart decision of visiting Morocco, you will need this travel guide to plan your trip, discover the best tourist areas, and know the activities you should try out in every location.
Explore the city life in Marrakesh
The imperial city of Marrakesh is the right place where a perfect trip in Morocco should start.
Where to go and what to do in Marrakesh?
The Souks (the markets): To give a strong taste to your trip, you definitely need to be lost in Medina’s labyrinth of souks where you can shop all sorts of spices, artisan jewelry, and high-quality objects that are nowhere else to find in the world.
Jardin Majorelle: To fill your Instagram profile with high-quality pictures and be fascinated with real art, Jardin Majorelle is one of the most famous botanical gardens in the world, it houses the artist’s villa of painter Jacques Majorelle, who created a real botanical work of art, brought up to date by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Spread over one hectare, you can see around 3000 species of plants with the impression of entering a real oasis.
Bahia Palace: This historical palace was established by the slave turned vizier Ahmed Bin Moussa in the nineteenth century in honor of his wife “Al Bahia”. Today, it has become a masterpiece that chronicles the beauty and uniqueness of Moroccan architecture with an Andalusian character that overflows with stories of civilizations and secrets.
Jemaa el-Fna: A UNESCO world heritage site, perfect for night tours, you will be entertained by street performers like snake charmers, put some henna on your hands, and enjoy traditional food and music, in this place, jubilance is everywhere!
Learn Moroccan culture and history in Fez
Medieval Fez is an important religious and cultural center, after serving as Morocco’s capital for more than 400 years, it became now a popular tourist area that leaves a strong impact on everyone who sets foot in its streets.
Where to go and what to do in Fez?
Dar Batha: It is a former palace that was turned into a museum in 1915, it welcomes you with a fantastic Andalusian-style garden not only varied with plans but also decorated with mosaics and a huge water fountain. Inside the museum, you will find creative embroidery, ceramic collections of the 14th century, traditional Moroccan tiles, and fine wood carvings.
Chouara Tannery: One of the oldest tanneries in the world that still uses the old traditional ways to make leather. A great place to buy leather souvenirs and interact with the workers to learn how the tanning is done there.
Medersa Bou Inania: This is the former theological college for Muslim intellectuals built by Sultan Bou Inan in the 14th century. It is situated right at the entrance of the old city, it has been restored with fascinating mosaics, hand-carved walls, large doors, and a fountain in the courtyard. You can also visit the rooms where the classes used to be taught.
Merenid Tombs: Although not intact, this archaeological site teaches a lot of history and shows the authenticity of the architecture, the most important part of it is the skeletal remains of sultans and royal families of the Merenid dynasty. After admiring them, you can then climb up the hill to view the 1200-year-old city.
Relax in Agadir
The most modern city in Morocco with a small touch of authenticity. It is well known for its beaches and relaxation spots.
Where to go and what to do in Agadir?
Kasbah: It is Agadir’s only proper historic attraction, the Kasbah was built to defend the seaport from enemy’s attacks back in 1541, despite its old age, it resisted a destructive earthquake in 1960. It is perched atop a hill, you absolutely need to hike up to it in order to enjoy the phenomenal view of the whole city, and take great pictures of its medieval Arabic architecture. Keep track of the time, don’t stay at the top of the hill after 6 pm because it will be difficult for you to get back down in the dark.
The beach: Unlike the other beaches in Morocco, Agadir has the most tranquil, clean, secure, and inviting beaches. A one-hour relaxation in its warm golden sands is enough to forget one’s life problems.
The hammam: No trip to Morocco ended without a good bath in the Hammam, you need to give your body an opportunity to relax and renew, one of the best Hammams is Argan Palace, you will definitely be treated like a King/Queen and get back home all fresh and new.
Take great pictures in Chefchaouen
Also known as the blue medina, Chefchaouen is a small city in the Rif mountains, its blue-washed streets and buildings gave it the nickname of “the Blue Pearl of Morocco”.
Where to go and what to do in Chefchaouen?
The maze of blue walls: The medina of Chefchaouen is the place to get lost in, only blue everywhere, very photogenic corners, and above all, the local citizens are the kindest people in the world. But if you take pictures of them without permission, they may not be happy.
The souks and Bazaars: On Mondays and Thursdays, the farmers of the Rif valley come down to the souk to sell their 100% natural products, fruits and vegetables, herbs, and handmade crafts. You can also find great souvenirs in the small Bazaars around the Chefchaouen streets where the prices are cheap.
Surf the dunes in the Sahara Desert
A unique experience, an adventure that you will not help telling everyone you meet about, the Sahara Desert is a place where time stops.
Where to go and what to do in The Sahara Desert?
Sleep under the stars: At night, the desert sky looks way more filled with stars than in the city due to the lack of artificial lights, the feeling of sleeping under a billion stars is indescribable, afterwards, watching the sunrise or the sunset from your camp will leave you in amazement.
Take a camel train ride: It is obvious, that most people see camels only once in a lifetime, let alone ride them. You definitely need to do this, you will have a guide to walk alongside your camel all along your ride, you will find those guides everywhere. You deserve to live this experience at least once.
Sand surfing: Take a sand/skiboard and dive into surfing the dunes, this is the funniest thing you will do in your life, yet it is really tiring due to the lack of ski lifts, so you have to climb back up to the top of the dune each time.
Meet the locals: chatting with the Berber people gives you an idea of their life, how they handle the hot days, where they live, and how they cook. Their history is so interesting, they are also so kind.
Now, you have a wide choice of where you can go in Morocco and what to do, I made sure to give you the best of what the country has to offer. Stay safe, and have a nice trip!
